A cover letter for a resume lets you introduce yourself to the hiring manager, provide context for your achievements and qualifications, and explain your motivation for joining the company. Another major purpose is to help ace your next interview. 

But you can’t just write a cover letter. It has to be perfect.  So…How do you write the perfect cover letter? The cover letter that will give all the information a recruiter will need to be convinced you deserve an interview. Here are key points to take into consideration when writing a cover letter.

 

• Start with a professional header 

How you start matters goes a long way in the result you’d get.  the basics first. The letter header  of every professional cover letter for a job application should include the following:

-Your name

-Your phone number

-Your email address and The date

-The name of the hiring manager and their professional title

-The name and address of the company to which you’re applying

Optionally, you can add: Your professional title, Your home address, Links to your professional websites, Your social media accounts (applicable only for LinkedIn and Twitter), Your city of residence (it’s not mandatory but adds a professional touch include it if your cover letter is highly official)

Just remember to keep it professional:

 

• Open cover letter with appropriate Greeting 

Direct your greeting to the hiring manager who will read it. The greeting of your cover letter (i.e., the salutation) might be the very first thing the hiring manager sees. That makes it one of the most important parts of a cover letter. There’s one great, foolproof strategy to make your greeting catch her attention: Use first of last name. “Dear Ashley” “Dear Mr. Able” 

That’s right. Her name.  If we hear or see our name, we react. Focus on what comes next. There’s a lot of science behind this. Once the hiring manager sees her name in the greeting of your cover letter, she/ he is  going to feel like they have  found something tailored specifically for their needs . It will feel personal, she’ll know whatever comes next might just be the exact information she’s been looking for. 

How do you find out the hiring manager’s name? Do some research!

• Write attention catching paragraphs 

These few sentences at the beginning of your cover letter will determine whether the hiring manager will read on. You need to make your cover letter introduction attract and hold the hiring manager’s interest. There are a few different, effective strategies for your cover letter opening. You can highlight your achievements, show how well you know your prospective employer’s needs, or base the intro on your enthusiasm.

 

1. Explain why you are the best candidate 

What to write in a cover letter’s second paragraph?

 You need to get the hiring manager exactly what she’s looking for. You have to show that you’re going to satisfy the company’s specific needs. In the first sentence, show that you’re an expert in your field. But don’t keep on bragging. The remaining part of your cover letter’s second paragraph should be all about how your previous experiences will help your future employer press ahead with their plans.

Pro tip: If you’re looking to work for a company, but there aren’t any positions currently open, try writing a letter of interest for a job . It’s a great way of uncovering vacancies that aren’t even advertised.

• Round up with a fitting closing paragraph 

Make your offer in your closing paragraph. Your cover letter shows that you have relevant skills. You’ve explained your motivation. What could possibly go wrong? Actually, a lot.

 You still have a cover letter ending to write. And it’s the decisive part. It has to amplify the general impression you’ve made with the previous paragraphs. It has to make the hiring manager excited as she starts reading your resume.

How to make the best cover letter ending?

 Long story short: by providing value. Tell the hiring manager that you’re looking forward to meeting in person and discussing how your experience and knowledge can help your future employer in fulfilling their goals. Use the right formal closing. Add the Postscript with an interesting fact or detail about you

 Remember, Always send a job application a follow up mail.